PCA And BCAA Form New Collaboration
Two cigar industry organizations, the Premium Cigar Association and the Boutique Cigar Association of America have recently come together to create a united political front between older, more established cigar companies and the smaller boutique brands.
“Being united in our pursuit to protect premium cigars and pipe tobacco is critical as we move forward through this changing regulatory environment,” Greg Zimmerman, president of the PCA said in an official release. “With our recent litigation successes, we now have a unique moment as an industry and having the BCAA alongside us will only enhance our voice and efficacy.”
In light of this new partnership, the BCAA has also announced that it will be taking part in the PCA trade show in Las Vegas next year.
“The trade show is where companies come to be born, presenting a new opportunity to open new accounts and develop new relationships that can benefit them for decades to come,” PCA director of state advocacy J. Glynn Loope told Cigar Aficionado.
Founded in 2016, the BCAA is an association of 45 small cigar companies across the United States with the mission of promoting and supporting these smaller, family-owned businesses that produce fewer than a million cigars a year. Hoping to highlight the boutique cigar industry, the organization also seeks to ensure the preservation of the art of cigar making and its place in the world economy.
“The vision of this partnership is to bring together the newness and enthusiasm of the BCAA’s young, small cigar companies and the breadth of wisdom and experience of the PCA’s well-established membership,” stated Armen Caprielian, co-owner of DAV Cigars and president of the BCAA board of directors.
“Through sharing our knowledge, resources and experiences, we are all poised to present a unified front in promoting our industry, advocating for sensible regulation that preserves our common tobacco heritage, and ensuring a vibrant future for manufacturers, retailers and consumers," Caprielian added.
